Global Security Newswire

A Russian scientist acknowledged today that he is being investigated on suspicion of smuggling material that could be used to develop a biological weapon, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Aug. 22).

The Russian Federal Security Service has investigated an increasing number of academics and researchers suspected of spying, giving up state secrets or improper use of classified information.

Biologist Oleg Mediannikov said that in December he tried to transport harmless samples of typhoid vaccine to colleagues in France.  Customs authorities at Sheremyetevo Airport confiscated the vials, but allowed Mediannikov to continue on his trip.

The scientist was barred from taking a vacation trip to Africa in February and had his passport seized for two months, he told AP.

Mediannikov said he learned in June he was being investigated for smuggling potential WMD materials.  Conviction for such a crime could result in a seven-year prison sentence.

He said he was carrying the required papers and permits for the seized samples, and has refused a request to resign from his position at the Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow.

"Logically, this shouldn't be happening at all, but it is and why it is remains a complete mystery to me," he said.  "I really hope that wiser heads will prevail."

Mediannikov failed to declare the samples while exiting Russia, thus violating customs law, according to institute deputy director Anatoly Osipenko.

Russia earlier this year banned the export of all human biological material, such as hair and blood (see GSN, May 30).  Whether the new rules would cover the samples in Mediannikov's case was not immediately known (Mike Eckel, Associated Press/Yahoo!News, Sept. 14).

Meanwhile, Australia is tightening controls on research of potentially weaponizable viruses, bacteria and toxins, Australian Associated Press reported today.

Lawmakers are considering a system to track and regulate materials that could be used in biological weapons.  Researchers working with such materials would have to register with a federal agency, undergo continuing monitoring and regulation, and obey heightened storage and security rules.  A system would be developed allowing authorities to monitor movement of infectious disease samples, even across state borders.

"Currently, there is no nationally consistent legislation that covers all facilities and entities that handle security-sensitive biological agents," said Health Minister Tony Abbott.  "Indeed, it is not possible to accurately identify those facilities and entities … or their location."

A list of regulated materials has not yet been prepared.(Australian Associated Press, Sept. 13).